How many tornadoes have you spotted?

[Shawn Gossman]

I've seen more tornadoes than I've reported, mainly because I wasn't in my area when I saw them and didn't know what NWS to contact.

But I've reported around 3 or 4 locally using various reporting methods.

We don't get them that much in Southern Illinois, though it seems they are increasing!

How about you? How many tornado spotter reports have you made?

 

[WISkies]

I've seen a few tornadoes while chasing (and blown great opportunities to see several more), but never felt the need to call them in since they were all already warned with a "tornado...observed" tag.

I did call in on a storm that produced a tornado around 10-15 minutes later. The storm already had a tornado warning on it but "radar indicated," so I called to let them know the wall cloud was tightening up and rotating stronger.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Yeah once there is a warning issued for a particular storm you're on, there is probably no need for a report unless you observe damage. I know most WFOs want damage reports.